Think About Cannabis

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Cannabis Products Overview

There are a wide variety of cannabis products, though they can be broken into five general categories1:

  1. Cannabis flower
  2. Cannabis vape and concentrates
  3. Cannabis edibles
  4. Cannabis tinctures
  5. Cannabis topicals

However, not all of these products are available in the 36 states and four territories in the U.S. with medical marijuana programs, or in the 15 states where recreational cannabis use is permitted2,3. For example, a few states with medical marijuana programs prohibit edibles or smoking flower (although vaporizing flower may be allowed in those states)3.

Smoking vs. Vaping

Inhalation — via smoking or vaping — are among the fastest routes of cannabis administration5,6. Both methods involve heating cannabis, so the cannabinoids are absorbed directly into the bloodstream through your lungs.

Generally speaking, experts consider vaping cannabis “safer” or “healthier” than smoking it5. However, research on the long-term health outcomes of those who vape cannabis v.s. those who smoke it is scarce6.

That being said, one study has observed vaping cannabis produces greater effects and higher blood concentrations of cannabinoids6,7. These effects were particularly apparent when comparing the effects of vaporizing low-doses of cannabis to smoking it.

Other studies, however, did not find similar results8, though this could be due to differences in their research designs6.

Cannabis Flower

cannabis flower and a grinder

Cannabis flower refers to the “bud” or smokable/vapable flowers produced by cannabis plants2. Smoking dried flower is the most traditional method of cannabis consumption14. Cannabis flower is typically sold in quantities of grams, eighths (of an ounce), quarters, halves, and ounces4.

Depending on where the cannabis is being consumed, users can smoke flower in a joint, blunt, pipe, bowl, or bong2. Some states even offer pre-rolled cannabis joints9. Medical marijuana patients and recreational cannabis consumers may also vape flower in a “Dry Herb Vaporizer.”

Cannabis Vape & Concentrates

vape pen

Cannabis Vape

Cannabis vape refers to the glass cartridges that are pre-filled with 0.5 to 1 grams of cannabis oil, which contains cannabinoids and terpenes10. Some grower processors add additional cannabis or other botanical-derived terpenes to enhance the flavor of their products, as well.16,17

However, considering the limited amount of research on the safety and efficacy of added terpenes, there are concerns that this process is a potential health hazard. Although cannabis concentrates or oil may have terpene levels of up to five percent (or more) naturally, this practice of adding terpenes has lead to products with up to 20 percent16.

In an interview with Chemical & Engineering News, Medicine Creek Analytics scientific director Amber Wise said this is “terrifying from a public health standpoint,” adding, “We don’t know anything about vaping terpenes or the degradation products that they might form after high heat exposure.”16

Furthermore, an article by Emma Chasen of the “My Feel State” blog advises:

“The next time you assess a cannabis vape pen or a cannabis concentrate intended for inhalation, look for the language “added terpenes” and inquire as to their origin. While marketing may have us believe that a higher concentration of terpenes equates to better quality, it could mean the opposite.”17

Although there are a lot of options currently on the market, vaping often relies on coils to heat the cannabis oil, which is a potential health hazard11. As reporter Erica Edwards states in a 2019 NBC News article:

“Doctors have discovered yet another way that vaping — and vaping THC, in particular — can damage the lungs: when the metal coils of electronic cigarettes heat up to turn e-liquids into aerosols, toxic metals can leach into the liquid, leading to a rare condition usually only seen in industrial metal workers.”

While there are many “old school” cannabis users who prefer smoking flower, many prefer vape cartridges as they are discrete, portable, easy to use, and easy to dose10.

510-thread cartridges are the most common type used throughout the cannabis industry10, although there are brand-specific style cartridges, such as the Pax Era Pods and TerraPod Dart Battery10,12,13.

TerraPod Dart Batteries are also an example of a vaporizer device that uses CCELL technology15. Rather than heating the cannabis oil with metal coils, CCELL utilizes ceramic heating element. The heating system is also created using food and medical grade materials.

According to the CCELL company, this technology allows for “zero maintenance, perfect leakproofness, and high hygienic standard… No need for preheating and complete vaporization of every last drop.”15

Cannabis Concentrates

Cannabis concentrates refer to the purified cannabis compounds (namely cannabinoids and terpenes) that are extracted from the cannabis plant1,20,21. The cannabinoid and terpene profiles of concentrates vary depending on their extraction method — in addition to the natural variation in profiles that arises between strains and due to environmental factors.

“Essentially, the process concentrates the plant material into a much smaller, often gooey substance. Cannabis concentrates are typically much higher in THC levels, which average around 50 to 90 percent, while traditional flower ranges between 10 and 25 percent THC.

The main goal — besides changing the consistency — is keeping the popular elements with cannabis that affect its potency, flavor, and aroma.”20

As implied above, many users prefer concentrates due to their purity and high potency of cannabinoids and terpenes1,20,21. Therefore, it takes less product for the user to feel the benefits of cannabis.

They are most commonly “dabbed” in a glass or electric rig, though they could be vaporized in a portable device or sprinkled on dry flower and smoked to increase the flower’s potency1,21.

A dab is a single dose of concentrate, which could range in size from a grain of rice to dabbing the entire container in one go (the latter is often seen on social media, though it is certainly not necessary to take such large dabs to feel the benefits of cannabis).

Dabbing requires the user to heat the “nail” (a glass, quartz, ceramic, or titanium piece) to a temperature between 310°F and 900°F21,22. However, it’s recommended to dab at temperatures at or above 900, as it triggers the release of carcinogens and toxins22.

Dabbing at lower temperatures produces less smoke, but preserves the flavor of the concentrate and reduces the “harshness” of the smoke on the back of your throat and lungs. Conversely, dabbing at higher temperatures produces more smoke but may cause the concentrate to taste bitter or burnt, and may feel very harsh to the user.

There are a variety of cannabis concentrate extraction methods used throughout the industry. Generally speaking, the methods are either solvent-based or solventless20.

Solvent-based extraction processes involve a chemical — often butane, carbon dioxide, ethanol, or propane — to dissolve the plant and carefully preserve its compounds20,21. The remaining product undergoes further processing to ensure there are as few (ideally none) solvents left in the concentrate as possible20.

Solventless extraction processes utilize physical means of extraction over chemical methods20. These include applying pressure, filtration, or temperature changes to the plant material to extract the concentrate.

While there are arguments for and against both methods, the variety of extraction techniques allows for a diverse array of cannabis concentrates to exist on the market. Although there are universal terms for the different types of concentrates, they can still vary in appearance.

For example, a product could be labeled as a “sauce,” but more closely resemble a “sugar” — and vice versa.

Types of Cannabis Concentrates

Budder

budder

Budder is an aromatic concentrate similar to Rosin, except Rosin is heated to form a texture that is similar to cake-batter, making it easy to work with20. It is also more stable than other types of concentrates, such as crumble23.

Bubble Hash

bubble hash

Bubble Hash is produced using water, ice, and mesh screens to extract cannabis flower trichomes into a paste-like consistency23.

Crumble

cannabis crumble

Crumble follows a similar extraction process as wax, but it is processed at higher heat and moisture levels to give it a dry, honeycomb-like texture20.

Crystals/Crystalline

Cannabis Crystals/Crystalline

Crystals (also known as Crystalline) are cannabinoids isolated in their purest, crystal form23.

Cannabis Diamonds

cannabis diamonds

Diamonds are THCa crystals19.

Live Resin

cannabis live resin

Live Resin is a high-quality, flavorful concentrate derived from cannabis flower that was flash-frozen immediately after it was harvested to preserve the “pungent aroma of the live plant or the terpenes.”23

This process is also used to produced Liquid Live Resin cannabis vape cartridges.

Live Rosin

cannabis live rosin

Live Rosin is a solventless concentrate made from pressing bubble hash that was derived from freshly frozen cannabis flower20,23.

Rosin

cannabis rosin

Rosin is a thick, syrup-like concentrate made from heating and pressing dried flower, hash, kief, or a combination of all three20,23. This concentrate can also be manufactured using a hydraulic press20.

Cannabis Sauce

cannabis sauce

Sauce is a mixture of THCa crystals and thick, sticky terpene sauce.

Shatter

cannabis shatter

Shatter is a translucent golden to amber colored-concentrate with a brittle, sticky, glass-like (or hard candy) texture20,23.

Cannabis Sugar

cannabis sugar

Sugar is a combination of THCa crystals and terpene sauce, as well, however it is thicker with a consistency that looks like wet granulated/brown sugar — hence its name.

Cannabis Wax

Wax is a concentrate that is whipped during the purging process to give it a soft, sticky, gooey consistency20,23.

Cannabis Edibles

Cannabis edibles encompass a wide array of products that are ingested orally — these include foods and beverages (gummies, chocolates, baked goods, etc…), as well as capsules and other products that are broken down in the digestive tract14.

Cannabis edibles

Although edibles in dispensaries are illegal in some states that only allow medicinal cannabis, capsules, RSO syringes, and edibles that don’t fall into the “food and beverage” category are typically available in medicinal states.

While the effects of edibles can be unpredictable, it’s perceived as less harmful than smoking and generally more potent than other forms of cannabis consumption14.

”Ingesting cannabis produces much stronger and more psychoactive effects than other delivery systems. When digested, cannabinoids are broken down in the gastrointestinal tract and then passed through the liver before entering the bloodstream.”5

The digestion process allows cannabinoids to cross the blood-brain barrier more effectively, making them more likely to bind with endocannabinoid receptors throughout the body5.

However, it takes longer to feel the effects of edibles, as they have to digested first. It can take anywhere between 30 minutes to two-hours before the user feels the initial onset of effects5.

Cannabis Tinctures

Cannabis Tinctures

Cannabis Tinctures are ingested orally, often sublingually (under the tongue)5. This method consumption is felt faster than ingesting an edible, but takes longer than inhaling smoke or vapor.

The initial onset of effects from cannabis tinctures begins 10 to 60 minutes after ingestion5.

Cannabis Topicals

Cannabis Topicals include a diverse selection of products, such as balms, creams, salves, and patches5. Topicals are applied directly to the skin to provide localized relief from inflammatory pain and irritation (such as scarring).

cannabis-topicals

“In all forms of topical application other than patches, cannabinoids react with receptors under the skin, but they do not reach the bloodstream. As a result, most topical medical cannabis products do not provide psychoactive effects.”5

References

  1. WeedMaps. (2020, May 7). A Guide to Cannabis Product Types. https://weedmaps.com/learn/introduction/guide-cannabis-product-types/
  2. National Conference of State Legislators. (2021, March 1). State Medical Marijuana Laws. NCSL. https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-medical-marijuana-laws.aspx
  3. FindLaw Editors. (2019, October 18). Medical Marijuana Laws by State. FindLaw. https://public.findlaw.com/cannabis-law/cannabis-laws-and-regulations/medical-marijuana-laws-by-state.html
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